San FranciscoFood Allergy-Friendly City Guide

There's something for everyone in San Francisco. In this free-thinking, food-obsessed city known for mindful eating and fresh ingredients, there has never been a better time to visit with food allergies. Before you jump on a cable car to the Mission or take a ferry across the Bay, be sure to check out our guide to all things allergy-friendly.

Dosa

Dosa makes allergy-friendly Indian dishes doable (and delicious). Their menu clearly labels all dishes that are vegan or free of dairy, egg, gluten and nuts. If you don't see something you like on the specialty menus, almost all of the regular dishes can be made dairy-free or gluten-free.

Spokin Tip: For those with wheat, egg and nut allergies, the chef recommends the Paneer and Peas Uttapam, which is made in a separate area of the kitchen with a rice bran oil.

Foreign Cinema

Foreign Cinema is an iconic experience in the Mission with upscale brunch in the morning, then dinner and a movie when the sun goes down. Because the menu changes every night, be sure to call ahead to make the staff aware of your food allergies and they can easily make accommodations. There is a prix fixe kid's menu that comes with fresh fruit, an entree (which can easily be modified for allergies) and ice cream for dessert with a milk-free sorbet option.

Greens Restaurant

Greens has become an internationally celebrated and locally beloved spot for creative vegetarian cuisine. They are well-versed in the art of accommodation and are happy to prepare allergy-friendly options in a separate area of the kitchen upon request. While visitors come for the food, they stay for the incredible views of the Golden Gate and Marin Headlands.

La Mediterranee

Food allergies are a top priority at this cafe serving up a fusion of classic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. Their two locations on Fillmore St and Noe Street both offer separate nut-free, gluten-free and vegan menus. La Mediterranee is completely peanut-free and only walnuts and pistachios are used in select dishes.

Little Gem

Whether you have food allergies, impeccable taste, or both — Little Gem truly lives up to its name. This hip brunch spot focus on simple, fresh ingredients for their modern dishes that are allcompletely free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar. Order at the counter for breakfast and lunch to eat on the patio or enjoy dinner in the dining room for full table service.

Seed + Salt

Seed + Salt makes clean, allergy-friendly eating effortless with a menu that is free of gluten, dairy, peanuts and refined sugar. They do use a small amount of tamari, a fermented soy product, and tree nuts, but the staff is diligent about preventing cross contact by storing any allergens in a separate area of the kitchen.

Tacko

From street tacos to lobster rolls, this Nantucket-themed restaurant is obsessed with quality ingredients and the best food allergy practices. There are no peanuts or tree nuts in the kitchen, and all of the taco tortillas are gluten-free. The staff takes extra precautions to keep allergens separated in the kitchen, and they use corn oil for any fried items.

Tony's Pizza Napoletana

Gluten-free pizza lovers rejoice! Tony's classic wood-fired pizza is happy to provide a gluten-free crust for any of their pizzas and gluten-free breadsticks, which are all baked in a separate dedicated oven. They practice extreme caution for all food allergens and are happy to accommodate in any way possible.

Zazie

Famous for its French-inspired brunch and cozy patio, Zazie's has become a foodie hotspot in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood. Their expert staff has plenty of experience serving guests with food allergies or special diets, and there are no peanuts or peanut butter used anywhere in the kitchen.

SF Brand Spotlight: Bread Srsly

Sourdough bread is a San Francisco staple, and no one does an allergy-friendly version better than Bread Srsly. Born and baked in SF, all of their bread is made in a 100% gluten-free facility and is completely free from milk, soy, egg, peanut, tree nut, potato, tapioca, sugar and chickpea.

TREAT

Bi-Rite Creamery

No trip to San Francisco is complete without a stop to Bi-Rite. Grab a scoop (or two) of their famously innovative flavors like honey lavender, ginger caramel swirl or vegan coconut strawberry. They have a rotating dairy-free, coconut-based flavor and vegan sorbet, and the staff is more than happy to change gloves, use a fresh scooper and scoop from a fresh bin for anyone with food allergies.

Dandelion Chocolate

This local artisanal chocolate shop is completely vegan and free of milk, egg, gluten and soy. Dandelion makes pastries that contain some nuts, but they take the extra precaution to prepare the baked goods in a separate kitchen from where they make their chocolately creations that are almost too beautiful too eat (almost).

Mariposa Bakery

Located in the iconic Ferry Building, Mariposa Bakery is the ultimate gluten-free find in San Francisco. The shop was started by a Berkeley mom with a sweet tooth who didn't want to compromise her healthy diet. Mariposa bakes all of their treats in a completely dedicated gluten-free and peanut-free facility and is serious about cross contamination with clear labels for allergens.

Smitten Ice Cream

One of San Fran's favorite ice cream shops is on a mission to elevate ice cream with superior ingredients and quality practices. Their innovative flavors like brown sugar with cinnamon shortbread and Earl grey with chocolate chips are all made in-house with detailed ingredient lists readily available for customers with food allergies.

Wholesome Bakery

Wholesome's owner used her own allergies as inspiration to create beautiful baked goods with high-quality, allergen-free ingredients that taste even better than the real thing. The bakery is 100% free of gluten, milk, egg and soy. While they do use nuts in the kitchen, they are hyper-aware of cross contamination and do everything to ensure everyone gets a safe treat.

STAY

Cavallo Point

Located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, the historic Cavallo Point lodge offers contemporary style and in-room kitchens for families who prefer to eat in some nights. The staff has plenty of experience accommodating food allergies, even in their gourmet cooking classes and acclaimed restaurant, Murray Circle.

Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square

Once part of the original Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory, the Fairmont was renovated to give families a quintessentially San Francisco experience. All food allergies are welcome, with plenty of accommodations available for their complimentary breakfast and room delivery services available from local restaurants.

Spokin Tip: Fairmont has a second location in the Nob Hill neighborhood that is equally accommodating with unbeatable panoramic views of the city.

Hotel Drisco

Located just minutes from Presidio Park, Hotel Drisco is famous for their hospitality, which extends to their guests with food allergies. Note any allergies in your reservation, and they will make accommodations for the continental breakfast. The hotel also offers complimentary biscotti all day in the lobby, so if you have nut allergies, call ahead so they can be sure to provide a nut-free option.

The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

Put on the Ritz in San Francisco's Nob Hill neighborhood. Their commitment to elegant excellence extends to the care they provide to guests with food allergies. Refrigerators and microwaves are available upon requests, and they have plenty of large suites for families. For families ready to explore the city, the historic cable car stops right outside the hotel for easy access to the most iconic way to get around San Francisco.

Live like a local

PLAY

There is never a shortage of things to do (and Instagram) in San Francisco. Keep it classic with a cable car ride through the hilly neighborhoods, grab a ferry to Alcatraz Island or explore the world-renowned museums and impossibly picturesque parks.

Parks + Outdoors

Shopping

Spokin Tip: If you're going to the Bay Area Discovery Museum, be sure to stop by Bean Sprouts! This kid-approved cafe guarantees no nuts in the kitchen and provides options for almost every food allergy, along with a detailed chart labeling top 8 allergen information for all menu items.

You should always take precautions and use appropriate judgement to protect yourself and others under your care with regard to food allergies. Spokin’s content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Additional information.